How can I 'finalize' a data disc after a burn

Question

jpoplin Author

Level 1

9 points

How can I 'finalize' a data disc after a burn

I burned to a cd a folder that has pdf and ppt files.

I sent this to a company for duplication, they came back to me and said my 'master' wasn't finalized or closed.

I told them I use a mac and those are not options.

They want to charge me $85 to close it in house and get it done, or we'd risk some data loss in the duplication effort.

I saw that https://cdburnerxp.se/ exists for non-mac users, and wondered if anyone might have an idea on a mac version or alternate solution.

My current solution to the issue may be to burn the cd, then borrow a pc, download the above program and close it that way...

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Using 10.8.5

Build 12F2501

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Mar 20, 2015 5:19 PM

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Answer 1

sterling r

Community Specialist

Apr 9, 2015 9:16 AM in response to jpoplin

Hi there jpoplin,

It sounds to me like you burned a disk and it is not closed, or finalized. I would recommend using the Disk Utility to setup a disk image with the files you want and be sure to check the box labeled “Leave disc appendable” when you burn it using this article:

Disk Utility 12.x: Record on a recordable CD more than once

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

All the best,

Sterling

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Answer 2

jpoplin Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 23, 2015 12:33 PM in response to sterling r

Thank you sterling,

You are correct that I burned a disk and it is not closed or finalized. I will try your recommendation using Disk Utility and the link and come back to this thread to let you (and others) know what happens. One question though; The term 'leave disc appendable' could be interpreted as 'leave disc open' - am I to understand that 'leave disc appendable' will close(finalize) the data I am putting on the disc, and yet leave room for more data in the future?

Thanks again,

-Jimmy

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Answer 3

sterling r

Community Specialist

Apr 9, 2015 9:16 AM in response to jpoplin

No that is not correct. Once a disc is finalized, it is not able to be written to further. if it is left appendable, then you can burn more data to it in the future.

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Answer 4

jpoplin Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 26, 2015 8:59 AM in response to sterling r

Okay- so in my case, I want to finalize the CD (so it cannot be written to), therefore I will leave the box unchecked. Then send it to the company and they will see that it is closed and finalized and can duplicate away...

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Answer 5

sterling r

Community Specialist

Mar 26, 2015 9:10 AM in response to jpoplin

Sounds like a plan to me.

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